Hedley: Ford was the real deal

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 27, 2006

HURON COUNTY  Those who knew former President Gerald R. Ford are echoing sentiments that have been heard on air waves and read in newspapers across the world.

The words kind, honest, and upstanding have been used to describe Ford by those Thumb natives and other Michiganders who at one point met the nations 38th president, who died Tuesday in his California home.

Elkton resident Jill Hedley worked with Ford in his Press Office when he was vice president, and later moved to his Editorial Department when he became president. In both departments, she typed Fords speeches and was able to meet him multiple times.

Everything that these people are saying is true, she said, referring to what the countless hosts of radio and TV personalities, close friends and former employees and colleagues of Ford have said since news of his death surfaced Tuesday night. He was a wonderful man … just a nice man.

Hedley said Ford was a very generous man, allowing his staff to use the presidential yacht, or inviting everyone to the White House Christmas parties. Some of those that I worked with had been there before him, working for Kennedy and others, and they all said they had never been treated like that, she said. Going through old photographs and other memorabilia from her days on his staff, Hedley could only reiterate what a nice man Ford was.

I saw the man, and I can tell you the man was genuine  he was the real deal, she said.

Kinde resident and Huron County Commissioner Mike Gage said he met Ford right after he became president at a conference in whats now the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids.

It was a nice opportunity to say I got to meet him, Gage said.

He said he remembers Ford as a kind man in his mannerisms.

Just the way he shook your hand, spoke to you, he seemed to be very down to earth and just very kind, Gage said. I just found him to be a very nice man. Huron County Republican Party Chairman Robert Hogan also met Ford at a few different conferences. He said he remembers the former president for his leadership during times filled with turmoil.

I shook his hand a couple of times, he said. I think he was a very fine, gracious man.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin released a statement Wednesday saying most Americans will remember Ford for his calm and steady leadership that ended one of the most serious domestic crises in our history.

But we in Michigan hold Jerry Ford in affection and esteem for his lifetime of service, including 13 terms in the House of Representatives, the Democrat said. We take particular pride in this son of Michigan and the manner in which he always treasured his West Michigan roots.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land also released a statement Wednesday, saying Ford was a public servant of the highest caliber who never forgot his roots. He truly was a man of the people who maintained a lifelong connection with West Michigan, said Land, who worked as a volunteer on Fords presidential campaign in 1976. In his typical modest manor, he showed that while a person can change the office, the office does not have to change the person.

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She added he has been her hero since she was in high school, and she is proud to call him a mentor.

President Fords example of honesty, decency and mercy endures for everyone who seeks or holds public office, Land said. He exemplifies everything I strive to be as an elected official, and I will miss him dearly.